Smart Cities – Smart Growth:  Exciting Opportunity to Expand Your Business in Asia

The United States Secretaries of Commerce and Energy will co-lead a Business Development Mission to China from April 12-17, 2015. This mission will promote U.S. clean technology products and services in the areas of green building/construction, energy efficiency, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) and environmental technologies in support of the Smart Cities-Smart Growth theme.

On November 12, President Obama and President Xi jointly announced the two countries’ respective post-2020 climate targets in Beijing. This announcement is a pivotal step in addressing the global challenge of climate change and movement towards achieving the deep decarbonization of the global economy. The mission will build on strong climate change progress during the first six years of the Obama Administration, and supports the intent of the announcement, as it will help to achieve its ambitious goals. It is one of several measures that will strengthen and expand U.S.-China clean energy cooperation, and will support the deployment of cutting edge, innovative technologies to combat and adapt to climate change. Additionally, the recent announcements from President Obama and President Xi will spur new opportunities for U.S. clean technology companies in China.

If you’re interested in participating in the upcoming business development mission, please visit the mission website to apply: http://www.export.gov/ChinaMission2015

Why participate in the China Smart Cities – Smart Growth Mission?

Business Development Missions organized by the U.S. Government provide a unique opportunity for businesses interested in exploring export opportunities overseas. Participating U.S. companies will meet with prescreened potential partners, agents, distributors, representatives, and licensees. The agenda will also include meetings with high-level national and local government officials, networking opportunities, and country and industry briefings.

Below are statements from two past trade mission participants highlighting their mission experience:

“I recently returned from Japan and South Korea where I took part in a five-day trade mission organized by the Department of Commerce, led by Secretary Penny Pritzker. Just as soldiers protect our freedom, the Department of Commerce is on the front lines supporting American businesses, making valuable connections that enable expansion into new markets that drive growth at home and abroad. They focus on facilitating job creation, economic growth, and sustainable development in the U.S., while encouraging global trade in new markets: a herculean task similar to what is known in the business world as the position of chief commercial officer.” Read more…

• Bryan Speilman, Executive Vice President, Medidata (2014)

“The high calibre of the meetings was incredible, with access to top level government officials and decision makers. One particular high point during the mission in Ghana was meeting John Dramani Mahama, the Ghanaian President, where the group was given the opportunity to ask direct and frank questions – and received clear and fair responses. It was remarkable to have this level of access to the President and a number of the cabinet ministers, and to be able to talk frankly about business opportunities and issues. We left these meetings with confidence in doing business in Ghana.” Read more…
Allistair Jessop, Senior Vice President, Development, SolarReserve (2014)

Additional Information?
Please visit the mission’s website at http://www.export.gov/ChinaMission2015, or contact the Department of Commerce Office of Business Liaison at [email protected] or 202-482-1360.

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